Sound-producing mechanism



, Nov. 6 1923.

F. B. LITTLE SOUND PRODUCING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 20. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Maze/f Nov. '6 I923. r

F. B. LITTLE SOUND PRODUCING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 20, 1921 2 Sheets-$heet 2 Mam Patented Nov. 6, 1923.

I UNITED STATE.$

PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK B. LITTLE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'r'o J. c; DEAG-AN, me, or

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SOUND-PRODUCING MECHANISM.

Original application filed April 2, 1920, Serial No. 370,834. Divided and this application filed October 20, 1921. Serial No. 508,997.

T 0 all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, FREDERICK 15. LITTLE, citizen of'the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of (ook and-State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sound-Producing zlechanism, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to sound producing devices and has anumber of objects and advantages in View, the invention being of particular service when employed in mechanism for suspending and operating tubular chimes, the present application bein a (livision of my original application Serial No. 370,834, filed April 2, .1920.

The invent on has for its general object the provision of an improved sound dampencr having several novel aspects. The sound dampener is preferably made engage able with the-top of the corresponding tubular chime or other vibrant element, being adjustable in position to follow the positions of the vibrant element if the latter is adjustable. In carrying out this aspect of the invention the sound dampener is desirably both swingingly and slidably mounted.

Suitable mechanism is employed for with-' drawing the sound dampener when the vibrant element is to be struck, a spring being employed forsapplying the dampener when the vibrations of the vibrant element are to cease.

The invention has for another of its objects the provision of improved electro-Ina-gnetic mechanism for operating the hammer 1 sectional view on line2-2' and withdrawing the dampener. The same electro-magnet desirably performs both functions, there being one armature for the magnet which serves to operate the hammerand another armature for withdrawing the dampener. hammer is provided with adjusting means to alter the range of movement of the armature and thereby control the force with which the hammer strikes the corresponding vibrant element.

. All of the characteristics of my invention will be fully set forth by a description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawin' and in which Fig. 1 is a. front view of t e referred form of the invention; Fig. 2 is a ofFig. 1; Fig. 3

The armature that controls the' preferably made of string. This bail is re pro-' ceived within hook forming notches 3 vided in plates 4 which together constitute a hanger.' Each of these plates also has a. laterally projecting external ear 5, the bail being tucked behind these cars so as to hold it within the recesses 3. The two hanging plates 4 are pivotally mounted upon supporting plates 6 which are provided with notches 7 in their upper sides" intowhich the angular extensions 8 are received. These angular extensions 4 to'be swung in the planes of these plates along the supports 6 to adjust the position of the vibrant elements 1 w1th respect to the hammer 9 that is carried he hanger lates are secured in the positions to whic they the heads of bolts at at the recesses 4 through which the shanks of these bolts ment with the distance preserving rod 6' 1nterposed between the plates 6. A block 12 is clamped upon the shaft 10 by means of a. screw 13, the block being angularly adjustable upon the shaft when the screw is loose, the screw serving to secure, when ti htened, the selected adjustment of the ,b ock. A coiled spring '14 is stationarily anchored at one end and has its other end in connection with the block 12 for the purpose of normally maintainin position and agalnst a bufiing block 15 of felt or other suitable cushioning material clamped totheiplzlipe 16 that is screwed to a are swung by means of mounting boar i 'vention the hammer is actuated by means of an electro-magnet in which-event the block 12 is in the form of an armature preferably pole pieces 18=that oscillating between the are at the ends of the ho ma (at core which carries electro-magnetic win ings 19 which may be in serial relation or in par which engage the plates the hammer in an idle permit the hanger plates 7 7 upon a shaft 10 j pivoted to turn upon the trunnion screws 11.

pass into threaded enga i allel. relation as desired When the magview of the hammer shown that applies the hammer net is energized the hammer will be removed from its back stop 15 and applied to the vibrant element 1 whereafter (the magnet still being energized) the hammer will be slightly withdrawn by the sprin 14: to

from b the in dot an dash lines in Fig. 2. The force of the impact of the hammer upon the vibrant element is adjustably determined by the position to which the armature 12 is angularly adjusted upon the shaft 10. Whenever the magnet is energized it serves to remove the sound dampener from engagement with the vibrant element 1, the sound dampener being maintained in its withdrawn position during the time the magnet is ener ized. To this end the angular rod 21 whic carries the sound dampener supports an armature 22 within the range of one of the poles 1.8, there being a cushion of felt or other suitable material 23 between the armature 22 andthe corresponding pole 18 to avoid noise when said armature is attracted. When the magnet is energized to apply the hammer the rod 21 is lifted by the ma net beforethis hammer can strike the v1 rant element-1, the ensuing vibrations being maintained until the ma et is deenergized to permit the sound ampener to be reapplied to the vibrant element. The sound dampener is preferably applied to the vibrant element by means of a coiled spring 24 intervenin between the stationary abutment 25 an the collar 26 upon the rod 21. movement of the armature is adjustably determined by means of a screw 27 which serves to secure the armature upon the rod in any selected position along the rod. The iced and force of the application of the mpener to the vibrant element are determined b adjusting the tension of the spring 24 b a justing the collar along the rod 21. Sai rod may be turned upon its upright axis to swing the sound dampener tp correspond to the change in position of the vibrant element 1 which is effected by the adjustment of the hangers l. The position of the sound dampener is further determined by slidin the same along the lower horizontal branfii of the rod, the position of the sound dampener on this branch bcing'secured by means of a set screw 28.

While I prefer to employ the same magnet for withdrawing the sound dampener I do not wish to be limited to this arrangement.

While I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shown as changes may readily be made without departing from the spirit of my invent on, but having thus described my invention-"I claim occupy a position slightly remov the vibrant element as indicated The range of 1 as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following:

1. A sound producing device including a vibrant element; a hammer mounted to swing, the vibrant element being within the range of movement of the hammer to be struck thereby; a hanger supporting the vibrant element and having an angular extension; and a support formed with a notch in its upper side into which said extension is dropped.

2. .A sound producing'device including a vibrant element; a vhammer mounted to swing, the vibrant element being within the range of movement of the hammer to be struck thereby; a hanger supporting the vibrant element and having an angular extension; a support formed with a notch in its upper side into which said extension is dropped and in which the hanger is mounted to swing to adjust the hanger and the vibrant element toward and from the hammer; and means for securing the hanger in positions to which it is swung.

3. A sound producing device including a vibrant element; a hammer mounted to swing, the vibrant element being within the range of movement of the'hammer to be struck thereby; a hanger supporting the vibrant element and having an angular extension; a support its upper side intowhich said extension is dropped and in .which the hanger is mounted to swing to adjust the hanger and'the vibrant element toward and from the hammer; and a bolt for holding the hanger in positions to which it is swung by clamping said hanger and support together, one of these latter two elements carrying the bolt and the other having a recess through which the bolt shank passes and at which recess the bolt is adapted for clamping engagement, throughout the range of adjustment of the hanger, with the element having the recess. I

4. A sound producing device including a vibrant element; a hammermounted to swing, the vibrant element being within the range of movement of the hammer to be struck thereby; a hanger formed with a hook forming notch and provided with a laterally extending ear; a support upon which the hanger is mounted to swing; and a vibrant element supporting bail received in said notch and positioned by engagement with ,said ear.

5. A sound producing device including a vibrant element; a hammer mounted to swing, the vibrant element being within the rangeof movement of the hammer to be struck thereby; a hanger formed with a hook forming notch and provided with a. laterally extending car; a support 'upon which the hanger is mounted toswing; a vibrant element supporting bail received in formed with a notch in p images said notch and positioned by engagement 7 with said ear; and means for holding the hanger in positions to which it is adjusted.

6. A sound producing device including a vibrant element; a hammer mounted to swing, the vibrant element being within the range of movement of the hammer to'be struck thereby; a hanger including two upright plates each having a hook forming notch and each provided with a laterally ex tending external ear; and a vibrant element supporting bail received in said notches to embrace portions of said plates and positioned by engagement with said ears.

7. A sound producing device including a vibrant element; a I hammer mounted to swing, the vibrant element being within the range 05? movement of the hammer to be.

struck thereby; a hanger including two upright plates each having a hook forming notch and each provided with a laterally ex- I tending external ear; a support upon which said plates are mounted to swing; and a vibrant element supporting bail received n said notches to embrace portions of\said plates and positioned by engagement with range of movement of the hammer to be struck thereby; a hanger including two upright plates each having a hook forming notch and each provided with a laterally extendlng external ear; a support upon vwhich said plates are mounted to swing; a

vibrant element supporting bail received in said notches to embrace portions of said plates and positioned by engagement with said ears; and means for holding the plates 8! in positions to which they are adjusted.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 29th day of July, A. D. 1921. v FREDERICK B. LITTLE. 

